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Friday, September 2, 2011

I have been determined to get at least one thing done in my future studio, per week. Could be big, could be small. And if I get more than thing done, extra credit!

So far I have begun to organize my desk and install some hooks to get my belongings off of the floor. It's so great that each item checked off of the "To Do" list makes such a difference in how much more I enjoy the space I am in. And up until now, I just focused on my desk space and made sure I didn't turn my head to see this...

Just a hodge podge of magazines, catalogs, mailing supplies, craft items, etc... I started by sorting everything down and putting things away that had a home already {like the kid's wooden bowling pin...}.

Since I am doing what I can to get this space in order on a budget, I decided to take a trip to IKEA and pick up some super cheap organizing essentials for my new space.

I knew it was just what I needed for my laminator and Silhouette machine, ever since I saw it in the new catalog. It would allow me to roll it to my work station when needed, and tuck it away when I was done. The drawer could hold all of the machine tools and cords and there would even be more room for additional storage and my paper slicer. SCORE!

Speaking of additional storage, all of those catalogs and mailing envelopes needed to be corralled, so I thought I would pair them up with this cart, and some extremely inexpensive magazine files!

While Preston assembled the craft cart {he LOVES to help build everything}, I got to work making the magazine files all pretty for my new space.

Notice, I am working at the kitchen table, because at this point, I still have no workspace in my studio without tossing everything to the floor. Shame shame.

I instantly was forced to come up with some sort of color scheme for the new space. I knew that I wanted it to be colorful, as I do with most spaces; however, I have gray blue walls and a large orange rug in an adjoining area to be considering of. My gut is telling me to stick with those colors and bring in some greens, pinks and teals. I am telling you, colors make me HAPPY.

So I played with a couple of scrapbook paper combinations...

Until I found the perfect ones. Once I had my paper colors/patterns picked out, I traced the face of the magazine file onto the back of the pretty paper {I had to go at a diagonal to make it fit the 12x12 paper}.

And cut them all out with my paper slicer.

To attach the paper to the face of the magazine file, I used double stick tape on the very top and bottom edges, and then covered the rest of the back of the paper with a very strong glue stick.

Tada!

I chose not to cover the sides since first, I didn't have enough paper and second, they wouldn't really be seen anyway.

Because I was going to be placing different items into the different files, I needed some sort of label. I had been seeing these ones on BHG all over, and they seemed perfect for this project!

So I printed them out in the circle format first, and figured I could just punch out the circle:

But I couldn't get the punch to work just right and everything was off center and the edges looked crummy....

It just didn't feel right to me....

So I printed onto some of my 2x4 mailing labels...

They were too big. Strike 2. Ugh, should have measured first and saved the waste. My bad.

I had one more size of mailing label I thought I could try, and if that didn't work, I would have to get really creative.

But they worked out just fine! I just had to trim a little bit of the white off of the edges and stick them on! Yes!

And then stick the new pretty files onto the cart that Preston had just finished up! Yes, he got it put together faster than my project got done...

The magazine files fit perfectly along the bottom of the cart, like they were meant to be! I just love all the storage that the little $32 cart and magazine file combo made! Now when I look over my shoulder, instead of seeing this...

I now see this!

So much better! Now I can actually do my next project for the space, in the space!

Speaking of, I am only about 15% done... so no judging just yet. Rug needed. Door to cover under stair storage required. Trim to be finished. Light fixture to be created and hung. Artwork galore. Giant desk built ins. Console or dresser to find and refinish. I can see it...

This got me thinking, how do you store your magazines? Anyone else hoard them like I do? What about projects that took you to that strike three zone to get it just right?

What a difference one project makes! Your space is really coming together. I'm addicted to magazine files, I love them for everything from magazines to extra paper and books. They always finish off a space so nicely. Can't wait to see how your other projects come together.

It looks great! I love how two simple items can help organize so much. Thanks for the BHG link! I love all the different label versions they offer! I need an IKEA close by so bad. The closest one is 3 hrs away.

I love your look of your paper cutter. Is it easy to use and how much you bought it? I have one simple paper cutter but I always cannot see well where is the line to cut...so thinking of buying a good one. :)

I love your magazine holders that you covered with the pretty paper. I learned from Martha Stewart's Blog something called Repositionable Mounting Adhesive. 3M makes it and it comes in sheets and for bigger areas where you want to apply adhesive to any paper to make it into a sticker it works perfectly and you never get the bubbles you get with glues. Just something to think about. Your office is coming along beautifully. Mazel Tov! Beth

It looks gorgeous and I like how you always make so much without spending so much money. I I have four of five of those magazine files and might - again - copy your idea and grace them with some of my scrapbooking paper. Nice, nice. I have subscribed to two magazines and my husband to one and we keep those because we like to read them again and again. So we have these magazine files and the white and green KASSETT files which we will put in the bookshelves in the library area (to be created in the nearer future). Thanks for all the inspiration again and again - let me say that after reading your garage post yesterday I stayed up last night until 3 o'clock in the morning and measured and planned our garage (what things are there/which can stay/what is not needed anymore/what can go somewhere else (attic)/what needs to be close to the house, what needs to be close to the door to the garden/what needs to be close together...) and today I asked my husband to help me clean it up and so we did. After only two hours or so it was really nice already and I made plans to buy some more containers and recycling bins and make it even better in the near future. So let me hug you and say a BIG THANK YOU!!!!!Jule

I'm so inspired with your creativity with the literature holders! I decided to fork over the extra $$ at Ikea to get the green ones because the white was so boring! But, I am going to borrow your idea for my next project; I mean for $1.99 and some already owned scrap book paper, you can't go wrong! I love to see how your space comes together with every little (or big) project. And yay for Preston, the little handy helper!!

Instead of keeping the whole magazine, I tear out the articles that are important to me and place them in sheet protectors in binders. I have one for home decor ideas, divided into sections. I also have a binder for other types of articles, and one for crafts. This way I can pass the bulk of magazines on or recycle them, AND I don't have to try to remember which magazine had what.

So cute! There is always something about a newly organized space that makes you want to stand in the doorway with a cold Coca-Cola and stare at it. :-) You asked how we handle magazines. I LOVE me some magazines and catalogs. I have 4 window binders that I use, along with some sheet protectors. I keep the magazine for about a month. If I love EVERYTHING in the magazine, I keep it (doesn't happen very often). All others get my favorite pages torn out and I put them in sheet protectors in their own binders: Fashion, Interiors, Organizing, Party Planning. This enables me to grab just the fashion binder when I need to satisfy my craving for sewing.I just LOVE your blog. So many cute and wonderful ideas. Keep up the fabulous work.

Love it! You make everything seem so easy! (And that's a good thing! It's totally motivating!) I used to save all my magazines, then I tried cutting out anything that "spoke" to me. I still have those, but I have to say I'm really really REALLY loving Pinterest for keeping ideas. If you can't find the picture online, you can always scan it in. Less paper clutter. Yay!!!

What a cute magazine file box! I dont keep most magazine. When I see I like to keep I tear and put in my binder that I have create in different dividers such as orgnaizing, decorating, healthy eating, etc.. to put in. It is motivating to look through your favorite thing. Keeping magazine can be waste of space and there is lot of ads that you dont need to keep. I love buy and read as many magazine I find out there and read them!

The paper adds such a fun touch and makes the magazine holders so much cuter, Jen! I have the same ones and now you've got me thinking...

Don't you love how such an inexpensive and easy change can change the whole look of a space?

As far as my own magazine storage goes, I'm trying to remember to tear out any inspiration pages and pass the magazine on when I'm done with it. Sadly, I have an entire Rubbermaid tote full of magazines that I still need to go through. It drives me crazy every time I see it on the floor of my office!

I'm working on a strike three room at the moment - last week I tidied up our spare room and rearranged it to make room for my fiance's drums, but then this week I was offered a job which, as it turns out, will require me to work from home initially.

Because we have indoor animals who, while lovely, seem to be at their most noisy/affectionate when you need to concentrate, I now need the spare room to do triple duty as a guest bedroom, jam space and office! Let me tell you, right now, it is baaaaad...

I think I need not just one, but 2 of those carts, but I'll probably just get one. I like what you did with the magazine racks. I save some special magazines in racks (like yours) and I have huge baskets in the living room and bathroom. Plus a shelf in the front bathroom. I go through them a few times a year and I plan on giving some away to my Dr who has really old mags and needs new stuff. I just have to cover or cut out my addresses.

Love this, and definitely going to copy. My laminator and guillotine drive me crazy taking up do much room on my desk! Only thing is, that cart is $49.95 and the magazine folders $3.95 here in Australia. Still a total bargain though!I only keep my home decor magazines (and I only subscribe to my absolute favourite). I just keep them in a pleather magazine holder. I find I have flicked through them enough in a year, and try to act on something I like in the mag within that time, so then I am happy to donate them to the local kindy.Can't wait to see what you do next!

Did the magazine holders come like that or did they come flat and you had to fold them to make them stand up. I know its a crazy question, but I bought some and I had to assemble them and then they did not lay flat.

Saw this nifty "hide a desk" thingy and immediately thought of all your awesome ideas for maximizing space. You've probably seen things like this before but I felt I had to share just in case you hadn't. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bandera-Fold-Out-Convertible-Desk/16533285

The magazine file idea is brilliant! The plain white files are so much cheaper than decorative ones would be, and I'm sure I can easily find scrapbook papers in just the right colors and patterns to match my future office. And, of course, you can use patterned paper similarly to customize view binders.

I'm a magazine hoarder, too! But, I'm a teacher -- so I get to bring them to class after I've read them. Except my Cosmo...that's an accident waiting to happen. Haha. I still stave clippings. Even though pinterest is fun -- I also love having the printed version hanging on one of my clipboards on the wall for inspiration. I put the others I want to save in one of those expanding file folders (the small version, for a backpack), and separate by craft, holiday, classroom, and recipes. Those are about the only categories I need these days. :) Love your blog! Thanks so much for sharing all your tips!

Your magazine holders look great - such pretty patterns. And you were smart to cover just the front - covering all the sides is much trickier and not worth the effort or ruined paper - or at least that was my experience.

@Felicia, I use a cheapo GBC laminator I found from Walmart or Target a couple of years ago for around $30. Then, I purchase my laminating sheets from Sam's Club as they are much less expensive than anywhere else I have found.

I absolutely LOVE your magazine files! I've seen some pretty interesting and creative ways to upcycle magaizne files and this is by far one of my favorites! I recently created my own magazine files from scratch - if you don't mind checking them out, I'd love to hear what you think!

I have this really great magazine holder for the back of my bathroom door. It's like a shoe bag, except that it holds magazines! Has 8 or 10 pockets, so it holds dozens of magazines. (When it's full-ish, I know it's time to purge!)

Jen, thanks so much for this post! It helped me out when I did my own Bygel cart hack. You can check it out at http://colourmerain.wordpress.com/2014/08/02/art-cart-ikeas-bygel-and-flyt/. I also linked to this post (it was super helpful). Thanks again!

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